Members of the Shelton Republican Town Committee poured out praise for Mayor Mark A. Lauretti when they nominated him for a 10th term Monday night.
But Lauretti didn’t get to hear it.
The nine-term incumbent mayor stormed out of the Republican Town Committee caucus shortly after arriving because of a disagreement over how the nominations should take place.
At the meeting, State Rep. Jason Perillo explained the nominating rules to the committee members: The nominating committee had interviewed candidates for positions prior to the meeting, and anyone else who was nominated had to be present at the meeting Monday in order to be put on the official slate.
Lauretti interjected: Why? And says who?
The rule had been adopted by the committee in 2007, said chairman Anthony Simonetti.
“I oppose the specific notation that if someone is not here they can’t be nominated,” Lauretti said.
When members continued to defend the rule, Lauretti said: “We’ve been discussing this slate for a week.”
He then turned to walk out of the Plumb Memorial Library meeting room, threw his agenda into the garbage can, and said, “See you later guys.”
While reporters flocked out of the building to follow Lauretti to his car, the town committee continued on with its agenda, splitting up to elect candidates for each of four wards.
Outside, Lauretti defended leaving the meeting, saying people should have the opportunity to nominate from the floor.
When asked if he thought leaving the caucus was risky, Lauretti said: “We’ll find out, won’t we.”
He said if the committee didn’t nominate him, he would run on an independent ticket.
But the committee did nominate him, and with only a few nods to the situation that played out.
“You saw tonight spirited leadership at its best,” said Board of Alderman president John Anglace. “But believe me, I’ve been with the mayor for 18 years. I know how hard he works. I know what time he gets up and what time he quits.”
Some members said they were surprised by Lauretti’s action, but not concerned.
“It was news to me,” Perillo said after the meeting. “But history doesn’t lie. The success Shelton has shown in the last 18 years under Mark Lauretti is unparalleled in this state.”
The committee members credited Lauretti with keeping taxes low and bring development and progress to the city. But those accomplishments are clouded by a federal criminal investigation into development in Shelton.
A Shelton developer and his father have already been indicted on bribery charges involving development on Bridgeport Avenue. Previous news reports (read stories on the topic in the New Haven Register here and here.) have indicated that Lauretti is the unnamed official in the indictment reports.
(Related: Shelton Dems nominate Chris Jones)
The following people were also nominated by the Shelton Republican Town Committee Monday night:
Board of Alderman:
Ward 1
Nancy Minotti
Anthony Simonetti
Ward 2
Eric McPherson
Stanley Kudej
Ward 3
John Anglace
Lynn Farrell
Ward 4
Noreen McGorty
John Papa
Planning and Zoning Commission
Anthony Pagoda
Ruth Parkins
Thomas McGorty
Virginia Harger
Patrick LaPera
Board of Apportionment and Tax
Mark Holden
Charlotte Madar
Christopher Besescheck
Board of Education
Win Oppel
Bernard Simmons
Eugene Kierce
Francis MacIlvain
Thomas Minotti
Library Board
Jean Anderson
Shirley Keller
